| Location | Belmore Basin, Wollongong, Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | |
| Year first lit | 1872 |
| Automated | No |
| Deactivated | 1974 |
| Foundation | Ferro-concrete |
| Construction | Wrought iron |
| Height | 12.8 metres (42 ft) |
| Focal height | 17.1 metres |
| Intensity | 1000 cd |
| Range | 10 nautical miles (18 km) |
| Characteristic | Group White & Red 3 in 20 Seconds |
| ARLHS number | AUS-172 |
Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse, also known as Wollongong Harbour Lighthouse, is a historic lighthouse situated on the southern breakwater of Wollongong Harbour, in Wollongong, a coastal city south of Sydney, New South Wales. Wollongong is the only place in the east of Australia to have two lighthouses located in close proximity of each other, the other being Wollongong Head Lighthouse. While no longer used, the lighthouse was restored in 2002 as operational and is listed an official heritage building.
The Wollongong Harbour is home to private vessels and the local fishing fleet in the inner Belmore Basin. South of the city lies Port Kembla, a major steelmaking, minerals, grain and vehicle handling harbour. A further hazard to shipping is an island group known collectively as The Five Islands lying a short distance off the coast.
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The Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse or known affectionately as Old Wollongong Lighthouse by the locals was built in 1871 after an earlier request made by the Wollongong Borough Council in 1866 to help mariners safely navigate the port of Wollongong in the early days of the coal industry in the Illawarra region. It is situated on the southern breakwater, within walking distance to its newer twin, the Wollongong Head Lighthouse.[1]
Designed by Edward Moriarty, the Engineer-in-Chief of Harbours and Rivers Department, the tower is constructed of wrought iron on a ferro-concrete base to survive any gale force weather in the area. It is one of the two towers in New South Wales made from wrought iron plates—another identical one, Warden Head Light, was built at Ulladulla Breakwater which later moved to Warden Head.[2] Its construction was delayed by heavy seas which the tower did survive through. Until the lighthouse came into service, a temporary red light was fixed in a box at the end of the pier. Its lantern was installed in July 1871 but its light was not exhibited regularly until January 1872.[1]
In 1937, the new Wollongong Head Lighthouse was constructed on Flagstaff Point to the south of the Breakwater.[3]
Due to poor maintenance of the wrought iron plates in later years, its support fixtures and foundation had deteriorated so much that the lighthouse was considered unsafe and slated for demolition in the 1970s, consequently the Wollongong Head Lighthouse took over as the primary lighthouse the harbour in 1974 when it was deactivated.[1]
In 1974, the Wollongong community called for its retention and local organisations subsequently contributed to its restoration then and again in 2002. The old lighthouse has become an icon of Wollongong for its part played in its history and is often depicted on its tourist brochures and even appears as an emblem on the pocket of a local high school uniform.[4]
Though the Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse is decommissioned now, it was restored to being fully functional and its lights are relit to mark special maritime occasions nowadays.[1]
The Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse was listed as a heritage building on 7 January 2000, and is noted of being of significance for being 'Australias first prefabricated steel lighthouse, and illustrative of early achievements in prefabrication and in the application of the new technology to the new building tasks of that era.' It was assessed as meeting the NSW State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria: a,c,e,f,g; meaning it is rare, of historic and representative value, has landmark and aesthetic significance, has technological and scientific value and has structural integrity. [5]
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